Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Weekend/Murphy's Law

To celebrate the long weekend, Joel and I decided to spend three days/two nights on the beach at Pensacola Naval Air Station in the Sunshine State. Things started off ok, although we left at about 11 AM on Saturday instead of 7:30 AM like we intended. (We had a little last-minute drama regarding dog sitting.) Anyway, we were checked into the hotel and on the beach by 4:30.


After about an hour, we went and got cleaned up for dinner and then went to "The Crab Trap" and enjoyed a crab FEAST! Not a bad start to the weekend, right?


Moving on to Sunday - we hit the beach around 10:30 with our picnic lunch in tow. Let me just say: I believe in sunscreen. I am not one of those people who just says "Whatever, I'll burn but then it will turn into a tan." No, I wear sunscreen. So immediately upon setting up our "spot" on the beach, I put on sunscreen. Now, I only started out with SPF 12 "tanning lotion," but then I faithfully reapplied with SPF 30 about once every 45 minutes. After three hours of relaxing, swimming, and reading we decided to call it a day... only to discover we had both been burnt to a crisp. For the record, Joel only put sunscreen on one time, and I got just as burnt as he did.

Next, we thought a little shopping trip would be fun. However, five minutes into our drive my car started shaking. hmm that's interesting... Then, it refused to shift and would not go above 35 MPH. That can't be good And to top it all off, a rancid burnt odor started pouring into the car. So much for our shopping trip.

We made it back to base ok, and still decided to venture out for a romantic, delicious dinner at the Melting Pot. Dinner was the best part of the evening, because when we got back to the hotel, we realized we were too sunburnt to do anything - including sleep. We both had a little sun poisoning and were still feeling pretty nauseous and miserable when we got up this morning.

So, instead of taking my car to the mechanic like we had been planning on, we decided to just drive home. My car, Penelope, held in there like a trooper... until we were about 100 miles from Columbus. That's when my driver's side rear tire literally shredded off my car - easily the worst blow out either of us had seen. So, while Joel changed the tire (in the blazing sun) I trekked a mile up the highway (in the scorching Mississippi sun) in search of the hubcap that had come off. No luck.

After that little adventure, we proceeded to drive the next few hours at 50 mph until - praise the Lord we made it back to our house safe and sound.

What should have been a fairly inexpensive weekend away (staying on the Navy base and only buying two meals) has now put us in the market for a new car. But ohhh the memories we will have of Memorial Day 2011!



This was the memorial on Mustin Beach at Pensacola NAS.


Thank you to those who have given their lives in service of our country. You are not forgotten.

Monday, May 23, 2011

May Update - Working unto the Lord

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

Phase I of pilot training is in full swing, and let me just say that I am really impressed (and a little suprised) by my husband! Joel wasn't exactly the most studious and devoted student in college. Specifically during his senior year, his motto was "C's get degrees!" However, the academic phase of UPT has brought out a whole new side of him. He studies diligently every night and has gotten 100's on almost all of his tests, with a few 90-somethings thrown in here and there. He is truly excelling and I could not be more proud of him! His work ethic is a testimony and encouragement to his classmates and to me.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, and not for men." -Colossians 3:23

As for me, I recently started a part time job: ~20 hours a week doing retail and deliveries at a beauty supply store- which is a huge blessing! I work great hours and have been really enjoying learning about all kinds of cool products and learning my way around Mississippi! Also, last week I started taking two classes online through Liberty University. Since it's a shortened 8 week summer session, the course load is pretty intense, but I'm trying to follow Joel's example and work as if unto the Lord in all I do!

I'm also trying my hand at not killing every plant I touch:



Joel and I spent a sunny Saturday afternoon weeding, mulching, and planting these beautiful flowers... unfortunately, the bugs think they taste delicious so they no longer look quite so perfect. :)